Posted!

Join the Conversation

Comments

Welcome to our new and improved comments, which are for subscribers only.
This is a test to see whether we can improve the experience for you.
You do not need a Facebook profile to participate.

You will need to register before adding a comment.
Typed comments will be lost if you are not logged in.

Please be polite.
It's OK to disagree with someone's ideas, but personal attacks, insults, threats, hate speech, advocating violence and other violations can result in a ban.
If you see comments in violation of our community guidelines, please report them.

Guest column: Free mindful living workshops for seniors

CarePartners is celebrating Older American’s Month in May with mindful living workshops.

The mission of the workshops is to provide older adults with the knowledge, skills and resources they need to age comfortably in their own homes. The idea of aging at home is not anything new. At the turn of the 20th century, only about 4 percent of the country lived to the age of 65. Most people expected to live and die in their homes and communities.

Advances in medical prevention and treatment for heart disease and stroke, along with vast improvements in medical care, mean that we see more and more people living past age 65. According to a report from the Administration on Aging, part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, in 2015 14.9 percent of the population was older than 65 — and that percentage is expected to grow to 21.7 percent by 2040.

The older-than-85 group is projected to more than double from 6.3 million in 2015 to 14.6 million by 2040.

At CarePartners, we want to help people stay in their homes and stay connected to their communities. With early planning, education and knowledge, older adults can expect to live well and be well in their homes.

The mindful living workshops are designed to help older adults learn about local resources that can help them stay in their homes. Participants can expect to learn skills that can help them cope with the changes that come with aging.

This year’s workshop topics include: heart health, caring for the caregiver, functional safety at home, driver safety for older adults and more. Classes are free and open to the public, and a light breakfast is served in the morning. Due to limited seating, advance registration is required.

Dylan Babb is the Community Outreach Coordinator at CarePartners in Asheville.